As the mercury rises and the days stretch longer, there’s an undeniable buzz around summer fashion. Indian homegrown brands are weaving a fresh narrative, stitching together tradition with bold innovation to create summer dresses that defy the usual. From airy silks adorned with hand-painted motifs, organic cotton splashed with digital prints, and trending silhouettes, these labels are not just dressing up the Indian summer—they’re redefining it.
If you’re someone, who gives your summer wardrobe a facelift as soon as the season kicks in, here are seven Indian brands that have got you covered with summer dresses that check all boxes!
Summer Somewhere epitomises the essence of easy-going attire infused with a spirit of adventure. Blending a passion for travel with fashion, Summer Somewhere delivers a range of versatile and trans-seasonal clothing that boasts high repeat value—pieces that effortlessly transition into everyday wear. Their approach starts with playful and charming designs featuring minimalist and feminine touches. From there, they shape the silhouettes and subsequently choose the colour palette and prints.
Heavy, intentional brushstrokes, still-life imagery, and Gond art motifs adorn the fabric of Drawn’s collections. Simple cuts of dresses, skirts, and shirts come alive with vivid colours and creative designs. Rhea Bhattacharya, the founder, has seen her creations worn by celebrities like Akshata Murthy and Alok Menon. The brand partners with global artists to infuse their work into wearable textiles. These statement pieces are designed to shine on their own, requiring minimal accessorising to let the artwork truly pop.
When summer arrives, we naturally gravitate towards bold, airy dresses that conjure the bliss of a perpetual vacation. Launched in Delhi in 2021 by the dynamic husband-and-wife team of Amalie Othilia Brandi Mikkelsen and Karandeep Singh Chaddha, Malie’s collection captures this essence beautifully. Their dresses, featuring puffy sleeves, off-shoulder necklines, ruffles, ruched details, and cut-outs, embody a carefree spirit.
Aroka has carved a distinctive niche in the fashion industry with its innovative fusion of contemporary art, traditional Indian textiles, and pioneering silhouettes. This brand is a favorite among the experimental youth, distinguished by its hallmark ruching, asymmetric hems, and artful layering, all crafted from hand-dyed textiles. Aroka’s designs stand out for their textured and sculpted appearance, which gracefully flatters every body type, making their pieces universally appealing and size-agnostic. With its bold approach, Aroka redefines fashion boundaries, ensuring its creations are both timeless and avant-garde, securing a special place in the wardrobes of those who dare to experiment.
While summer staples often include light and flowing silhouettes, incorporating some structured items can really complete your ensemble. Bodice’s latest summer line offers just that, with its array of pleated dresses, panelled tops, boxy shirts, and flared pants available in vibrant lime green, deep cobalt, crisp white, and gentle pink. Established in Delhi by Ruchika Sachdeva, Bodice is celebrated for its sleek, form-enhancing designs that are perfect for enriching your summer collection.
The PDKF Store features a collection that marries traditional Rajasthani designs with contemporary fashion trends. This line has been innovatively designed by Princess Gauravi Kumari, the daughter of Princess Diya Kumari, and French designer Claire Deroo. Utilising age-old techniques passed down through generations, the collection includes exquisite Gotapatti embroidery, meticulous needlework, and Rajasthan’s renowned block printing, all taught to the foundation’s artisans.
Their vision is straightforward: to equip women with the necessary resources, skills, and knowledge for economic and overall empowerment. Through selling these beautifully crafted pieces, the foundation not only supports the artisans directly but also preserves and celebrates the rich cultural heritage of Rajasthan, making it accessible to a worldwide audience.
BENNCH captures the essence of effortless style with each piece of clothing characterized by subtle, understated details that invite a second glance rather than demand immediate attention. Drawing inspiration from artists for whom creation is an instinctive outpouring of the subconscious, BENNCH reimagines everyday patterns with a fresh, artistic twist. Classic polka dots and stripes are seen anew, reminiscent of the uncontained edges of water, a splatter of paint, an uninterrupted brushstroke, or the hazy memory of a berry bush.
The brand’s clothing is designed with minimalistic sculpting, allowing the pieces to enhance and reflect the wearer’s personality without overpowering it. BENNCH is committed to empowering its customers through design, focusing on how each garment makes the wearer feel. This philosophy permeates every step of the design process, ensuring that those who wear BENNCH feel confident and poised in their sartorial expression.